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He missed the Sign on... It's just loaded with tons of information for students, new and old. See Special Section pages 9-16 Wednesday, October 1, 1997 www.weber.edusignpost Volume 60 Number 10 I- :rJ i Leaviff to appear By Joe Bartenhagen news editor-The Signpost Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt will be appearing on the Weber State University campus Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Shepherd Union Skyroom. Leavitt will be addressing WSU faculty and staff on the subject of the Western Governors University, lie will also be speaking about the concept of the Virtual University an idea conceived by the WGU in June 1995 as a means to allow new technology to evolve and move across state and institutional lines. Following his address, the gover (n li KM ( o F li r t i' .-;''' v n I Lines could be found at nearly every student service office on campus as nopeful students made attempts to find a course that fit their needs, and more importantly, was open. Long lines, full lots enrollment increase at WSU not official, yet By Patrick Parkinson campus affairs editor-The Signpost Traffic jams, congested sidewalks and a lack of parking places indicate fall enrollment at Weber State University is up. How much, however, for the time being may remain a mystery. "We try not to get to committed until the third week count," David Eisler, WSU provost, said. Some funding the university receives is based on its quarterly enrollment. Until the third week, students are still transitioning into campus life, and a few will opt to drop out. "The third week census is what we get money for," Eisler said. Many people have worked very hard, in a variety of capacities, to raise fall quarter enrollment."People have worked like crazy." he added. "We're clearly inside post editorial see page 4 nor will be available for a shortques-tion-and-answer period. It has been WGU and its ideological offspring, Virtual University, that has been responsible for WSU's ability to explore and develop alternative ways of allowing higher education and cutting-edge technology to interact.Through the initiatives drawn up by the WGU and followed up on by Leavitt, WSU has been able to develop its new WSU Online educational service. "WSU Online is a reflection of Gov. Leavitt's emphasis on WGU. The idea behind it is not to replace See Leavitt page 1 7 1 1 ! si i Trying to buy books during the first week of school proved to be a challenge as check out lines stretched nearly the length of the bookstore and were "metered" by bookstore employees in order to avoid mass hysteria at the registers. up. It looks really good." A visit to the bookstore serves as another graphic illustration of this quarter's influx of students. "I think there are lots more," Valdeane Garner, an employee at the bookstore, said. "Yesterday there was no break, and it has been that way again today." neAS seepage 2&3 at WSU 'J I Gov. Michael O. Leavitt ..... i 1 if -.1 Roger Johnson is wondering if WSU's free shuttle service from the Dee Events Center is finally catching on. A captain with the WSU police department, Johnson also heads up the school's shuttle bus See Enroll page 21 Sign Of) see page 9 Take classes in privacy of own home with WSU online course offerings By Colleen Hales news writer-The Signpost In response to greater pressure from the legislature to justify the funds higher education needs to survive, Weber State University is moving into the future with WSU Online, a new program designed to offer courses over the Internet and better meet student needs. "This is just another way to take courses," David Eisler, WSU provost, said. "It's not for everyone, but it has some real advantages." Eisler said students who have an Internet connection can take classes at home at their leisure, and online classes are eligible for financial aid, just as regular classes. Allen Livingston, director of Communication Arts and Technologies, has been working on the project with a team of six for two years. He and Peg Wherry, director of Distance LearningContinuing Education, co-authored the proposal to start the online project in the fall of 1995. There has been a year of real work and a year before that of planning and agonizing the decision," Livingston said. The production team at CATS has been working with Continuing Education to make the proposal a virtual reality. Tamara Aird, program administrator of Continuing Education, said the department has been involved off and on until March, 1997, when the proposal was adopted. All registration for online classes goes through that department."It's similar to off-campus classes, but students won't have to pay extra for the class," Aird said. "It will be the same as a regular class." Students normally pay an extra course fee when registering for Con tinuing Education classes. Aird said they hope to have ah 'Ut 20 classes available for students by the start of fall quarter. "Students can still add or drop classes through the first week of class," Aird said. "So the online classes are still an option." Because WSU Online i so new, Aird said they haven't had time to publicize it and know classes will be small the first quarter. "We realize people won't be knocking on our doors, because we are late in getting it up. but by winter quarter full classes," Aird said. Those who may feel intimidated by the Internet can rest at ease. Livingston designed the homepage to be user-friendly and inviting. "You navigate through the page by going to the buildings just like you would on a real campus." Livingston said. SportS see page 18 WSU's Budget Crunch Signpost series'Part 2 of 4 Students simply click on the buildings they need to go into. Livingston has already developed a sample course, so students and faculty can see what a course may look like once converted for the Internet. The class page includes a course description, access to the instructor's "office," the syllabus, assignments, online discussions, examinations and portfolios that professors can use to give students comments on their work. Online discussions are held through the use of newsgroups, which are public. Newsgroups function much like a class discussion would, Livingtson said. A student types in his or her comments and others can respond. All the messages stay in one place, and students in the class can access and read through them. "We've never used it before, but it's a very good way to carry on classroom discussion," Livingston said. The online classes will also offer net meetings. Students can "phone" their instructor and discuss problems or concerns about the class. Students will be able to bring assignments up on the screen of both computers so the instructor can comment and make suggestions. By using a camera and speakers, the student and professor also can see and talk to each other during the chat session. "This is really a powerful way to do office hours for remote students," Livingston said. He has also developed links to the admissions office, registration, the library, the women's center and the bookstore, where students will be able to purchase books needed for the classes. For those whose feel unsure of how to browse the site, Livingston created an information booth with real people that has a user's guide to answer questions. Livingston plans to have attendants work in the booth to help anyone with questions. "We want these students to be in chat rooms so someone is there," he said. "We want to try and provide immediate response." In order to include online students in campus life, Livingston also made a studentfaculty lounge and a cafeteria link to help students feel a part of See Online page 17 classifieds . . . .see page 23

Public Domain. Courtesy of University Archives, Stewart Library, Weber State University.

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He missed the Sign on... It's just loaded with tons of information for students, new and old. See Special Section pages 9-16 Wednesday, October 1, 1997 www.weber.edusignpost Volume 60 Number 10 I- :rJ i Leaviff to appear By Joe Bartenhagen news editor-The Signpost Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt will be appearing on the Weber State University campus Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Shepherd Union Skyroom. Leavitt will be addressing WSU faculty and staff on the subject of the Western Governors University, lie will also be speaking about the concept of the Virtual University an idea conceived by the WGU in June 1995 as a means to allow new technology to evolve and move across state and institutional lines. Following his address, the gover (n li KM ( o F li r t i' .-;''' v n I Lines could be found at nearly every student service office on campus as nopeful students made attempts to find a course that fit their needs, and more importantly, was open. Long lines, full lots enrollment increase at WSU not official, yet By Patrick Parkinson campus affairs editor-The Signpost Traffic jams, congested sidewalks and a lack of parking places indicate fall enrollment at Weber State University is up. How much, however, for the time being may remain a mystery. "We try not to get to committed until the third week count," David Eisler, WSU provost, said. Some funding the university receives is based on its quarterly enrollment. Until the third week, students are still transitioning into campus life, and a few will opt to drop out. "The third week census is what we get money for," Eisler said. Many people have worked very hard, in a variety of capacities, to raise fall quarter enrollment."People have worked like crazy." he added. "We're clearly inside post editorial see page 4 nor will be available for a shortques-tion-and-answer period. It has been WGU and its ideological offspring, Virtual University, that has been responsible for WSU's ability to explore and develop alternative ways of allowing higher education and cutting-edge technology to interact.Through the initiatives drawn up by the WGU and followed up on by Leavitt, WSU has been able to develop its new WSU Online educational service. "WSU Online is a reflection of Gov. Leavitt's emphasis on WGU. The idea behind it is not to replace See Leavitt page 1 7 1 1 ! si i Trying to buy books during the first week of school proved to be a challenge as check out lines stretched nearly the length of the bookstore and were "metered" by bookstore employees in order to avoid mass hysteria at the registers. up. It looks really good." A visit to the bookstore serves as another graphic illustration of this quarter's influx of students. "I think there are lots more," Valdeane Garner, an employee at the bookstore, said. "Yesterday there was no break, and it has been that way again today." neAS seepage 2&3 at WSU 'J I Gov. Michael O. Leavitt ..... i 1 if -.1 Roger Johnson is wondering if WSU's free shuttle service from the Dee Events Center is finally catching on. A captain with the WSU police department, Johnson also heads up the school's shuttle bus See Enroll page 21 Sign Of) see page 9 Take classes in privacy of own home with WSU online course offerings By Colleen Hales news writer-The Signpost In response to greater pressure from the legislature to justify the funds higher education needs to survive, Weber State University is moving into the future with WSU Online, a new program designed to offer courses over the Internet and better meet student needs. "This is just another way to take courses," David Eisler, WSU provost, said. "It's not for everyone, but it has some real advantages." Eisler said students who have an Internet connection can take classes at home at their leisure, and online classes are eligible for financial aid, just as regular classes. Allen Livingston, director of Communication Arts and Technologies, has been working on the project with a team of six for two years. He and Peg Wherry, director of Distance LearningContinuing Education, co-authored the proposal to start the online project in the fall of 1995. There has been a year of real work and a year before that of planning and agonizing the decision," Livingston said. The production team at CATS has been working with Continuing Education to make the proposal a virtual reality. Tamara Aird, program administrator of Continuing Education, said the department has been involved off and on until March, 1997, when the proposal was adopted. All registration for online classes goes through that department."It's similar to off-campus classes, but students won't have to pay extra for the class," Aird said. "It will be the same as a regular class." Students normally pay an extra course fee when registering for Con tinuing Education classes. Aird said they hope to have ah 'Ut 20 classes available for students by the start of fall quarter. "Students can still add or drop classes through the first week of class," Aird said. "So the online classes are still an option." Because WSU Online i so new, Aird said they haven't had time to publicize it and know classes will be small the first quarter. "We realize people won't be knocking on our doors, because we are late in getting it up. but by winter quarter full classes," Aird said. Those who may feel intimidated by the Internet can rest at ease. Livingston designed the homepage to be user-friendly and inviting. "You navigate through the page by going to the buildings just like you would on a real campus." Livingston said. SportS see page 18 WSU's Budget Crunch Signpost series'Part 2 of 4 Students simply click on the buildings they need to go into. Livingston has already developed a sample course, so students and faculty can see what a course may look like once converted for the Internet. The class page includes a course description, access to the instructor's "office," the syllabus, assignments, online discussions, examinations and portfolios that professors can use to give students comments on their work. Online discussions are held through the use of newsgroups, which are public. Newsgroups function much like a class discussion would, Livingtson said. A student types in his or her comments and others can respond. All the messages stay in one place, and students in the class can access and read through them. "We've never used it before, but it's a very good way to carry on classroom discussion," Livingston said. The online classes will also offer net meetings. Students can "phone" their instructor and discuss problems or concerns about the class. Students will be able to bring assignments up on the screen of both computers so the instructor can comment and make suggestions. By using a camera and speakers, the student and professor also can see and talk to each other during the chat session. "This is really a powerful way to do office hours for remote students," Livingston said. He has also developed links to the admissions office, registration, the library, the women's center and the bookstore, where students will be able to purchase books needed for the classes. For those whose feel unsure of how to browse the site, Livingston created an information booth with real people that has a user's guide to answer questions. Livingston plans to have attendants work in the booth to help anyone with questions. "We want these students to be in chat rooms so someone is there," he said. "We want to try and provide immediate response." In order to include online students in campus life, Livingston also made a studentfaculty lounge and a cafeteria link to help students feel a part of See Online page 17 classifieds . . . .see page 23